Influence of Systemic Ampicillin or Pen-Strep and Intrauterine Oxytetracycline Combined with Systemic PGF2α or Estradiol on the Clinical Recovery and Fertility of Crossbred Kenana Affected by Clinical Metritis

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of four therapies for clinical metritis (CM) treatment on recovery and reproductive performance in crossbred Kenana × Holstein dairy cows in Khartoum, Sudan. A total of 87 cows with CM were divided into six groups: G1 (control negative - CN) (n = 10) with healthy cows; G2 (control positive - CP) (n = 10) with untreated CM cows; G3 (Ampicillin treated) (n = 14); G4 (Penicillin and streptomycin treated) (n=17); G5 (Oxytetracycline and PGF2α treated (OTC+ PGF2α)) (n=18); and G6 (Oxytetracycline and estradiol benzoate treated OTC+EB) (n=18). The results indicated that the OTC + EB and Penicillin + streptomycin groups had significantly shorter intervals from treatment to service (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in clinical recovery durations among the treated groups. The calving to first service interval was significantly shorter in the Ampicillin, Penicillin + streptomycin, OTC + EB, and CN groups compared to the OTC + PGF2α group. The CP group's interval was significantly longer than in the CN and treated groups. The number of services per conception (NS/C) in the CN group was significantly lower than in the treated groups and CP (1.80±0.138 vs. 4.94±0.201, 5.28±0.266, 5.43±0.272, 6.17±0.232, and 11.17±2.257 in Pen strep, OTC+EB, Ampicillin, and OTC + PGF2α groups, and CP, respectively). Days open (DO) were significantly shorter in the CN group compared to the treated groups and the CP group (79.95±3.957 vs. 163.18±5.206, 170.33±5.267, 180.29±4.204, 210.83± 6.693 and 340.00±50 days in the Pen strep, OTC+EB, Ampicillin, OTC + PGF2α, treated groups and CP, respectively). The CP group's culling rate was 40%, while it was 0% in all other groups. The first three services conception rate (CR) was 100% in the CN group, while other groups had low CRs (0 to 7.14%). In conclusion, Ampicillin, OTC + EB, and Penicillin + streptomycin were equally effective for CM treatment and reproductive performance, while OTC + PGF2α was less efficient. Early diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care are crucial for maintaining reproductive performance and lowering the culling rate.